Paul Berman
Paperback | Pages: 240 pages Rating: 3.86 | 539 Users | 49 Reviews
Describe Out Of Books Terror and Liberalism
| Title | : | Terror and Liberalism |
| Author | : | Paul Berman |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 240 pages |
| Published | : | May 17th 2004 by W. W. Norton Company (first published April 1st 2003) |
| Categories | : | Politics. History. Philosophy. Nonfiction. War. Terrorism. Religion. Islam |
Description During Books Terror and Liberalism
One of our most brilliant public intellectuals, Paul Berman has spent his career writing on revolutionary movements and their totalitarian aspects. Here he argues that, in the terror war, we are not facing a battle of the West against Islam—a clash of civilizations. We are facing, instead, the same battle that tore apart Europe during most of the twentieth century, only in a new version. It is the clash of liberalism and its enemies—the battle between freedom and totalitarianism that arose in Europe many years ago and spread to the Muslim world.The author considers the wars against fascism and communism from the past, and draws cautionary lessons. But he also draws from those past experiences a liberal program for the present—a program that departs in fundamental respects from the policies of the Bush administration.
"A fluid and lucid essay by one of America's best exponents of recent intellectual history."—The Economist
Present Books Supposing Terror and Liberalism
| Original Title: | Terror and Liberalism |
| ISBN: | 0393325555 (ISBN13: 9780393325553) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Noam Chomsky |
Rating Out Of Books Terror and Liberalism
Ratings: 3.86 From 539 Users | 49 ReviewsEvaluate Out Of Books Terror and Liberalism
An interesting look at a possible non-rational explanation for Islamic terrorism. I enjoyed the explanations of Islamist academic Qutb's ideology, and how it relates to modern extremist terrorists. The history of nihilist murder-suicide in Russia as well as the history of Palestinian and Israeli relations around the turn of the century was also interesting. A good read that will probably keep me thinking for quite a while.Extraordinary in scope, remarkable in its erudition, this is nothing less than a courageous, probing study of human nature. Berman, on top of everything a writer's writer, is unfazed by the necessity of posing extremely basic questions about individual and social character; he exposes logical and tragic dichotomies without oversimplifying the political events he cites. Bravo.
This is a very interesting and provocative book that puts totalitarianism into historical perspective during the late 19th and 20th century Europe. Then the author goes on to explain how this manifests itself in acts of terrorism today.It is important to note that Liberalism in the title is not synonymous with political liberalism as we know it in the United States. The title has to do more with economic liberalism, neo-liberal or laissez-faire economic policies in Europe.
I haven't re-read this since it was published soon after the invasion of Iraq, but as I remember it, Berman makes a strong case for the use of military intervention against terrorist states as being in keeping with a liberal political tradition. If the book hasn't held up as well as Berman might have hoped, that may have less to do with any flaw built into the theoretical arguments than with a couple of places where reality intruded, especially in Berman's clincher that liberals should support
Paul Berman wrote Terror and Liberalism in 2002, heady days when a large percentage of the American populace fully expected to be hit by another terrorist attack, and the invasion of Iraq was starting to become the subject of a (lopsided) heated debate. It helps to keep this in mind when reading Berman's passionate, well-written and thoughtful book-length essay.The principal theme that Berman wishes to expound upon is his belief that Islamism (not the same as the religion itself) represents
Paul Berman is a deeply challenging academic, thinker and writer. This work, published in the wake of 9/11 is a bracing demanding work forcing the reader to confront serious notions of possible accomodation when others exhibit and practice intense intolerance. A thorough history of anti-western thought as well as a well argued indictment of fashionable trends in modern 'liberal' thinking. He is of course confronting radical islamist beliefs and practices and wondering how religious impulses can
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